Toys incorporating geneva gear assemblies

ABSTRACT

Realistic looking and behaving life-like toys are provided. The toys include multiple moving parts. To achieve multiple movements geneva gear assemblies are incorporated in the toys wherein each assembly is driven by a single motor and can move multiple parts simultaneously or individually.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based upon and claims priority on U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/173,977 filed on Dec. 30, 1999, and onU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/175,445 filed on Jan. 4, 2000, thecontents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] To make a toy appear realistic, i.e., to make a toy simulate themovement and behavior of the human, animal or thing it represents, thetoy must have multiple moving parts. To move such parts requiresmultiple motors, and in many instances more than ten motors. Use of somany motors adds to the cost and the weight of the toys making such toysundesirable. Consequently, toys are desired using a minimum number ofmotors that appear realistic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Realistic looking and behaving, i.e., life-like toys areprovided. The toys include multiple moving parts and appendages. Whenthe toys are representative of a human or an animal, the toys may alsoinclude skin that is moveable. To achieve multiple movements of theparts, appendages and skin (collectively referred to herein as “parts”)geneva gear assemblies are incorporated in the toys wherein eachassembly is driven by a single motor and can move multiple partssimultaneously or individually. Each geneva gear assembly comprises oneor more drive gears driven by a single motor and one or more outputgears are driven by each drive gear. Pulleys are coupled to the outputgears. Lines are coupled to the pulleys and to various parts such thatrotation of the pulleys by the output gears causes movement of theparts.

[0004] A drive gear comprises a plurality of teeth which extend around aportion of the drive gear. A stop surface also spans a portion of eachdrive gear. An output gear also has a plurality of teeth and a stopsurface section. As the drive gear rotates in a direction, its teethengage the teeth of an output gear and rotate the output gear. As thedrive gear continuous to further rotate its gear teeth disengage fromthe gear teeth of the output gear and the stop surface of the drive gearmates with and rotates by the stop surface of the output gear preventingthe output gear rotation. Another output gear may be drivensimultaneously by the same or another drive gear.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1A is a top view of a geneva gear assembly of the presentinvention excluding the pulleys.

[0006]FIG. 1B is an end view of the geneva gear assembly of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1A and including the pulleys.

[0007]FIG. 2A is a top view of an alternate embodiment geneva gearassembly of the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 2B is a top view of a further alternate embodiment genevagear assembly of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 3A is an arrangement of four geneva gear assemblies asincorporated into the torso of a baby doll toy of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 3B is a partial perspective end view of geneva gearassemblies shown in FIG. 3A.

[0011]FIG. 3C is a partial end view of geneva gear assemblies shown inFIG. 3A.

[0012]FIG. 4 depicts a mapping of the movements to be accomplished byeach of the geneva gear assemblies depicted in FIG. 3A.

[0013]FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C depict the assembly used to move the ends ofan exemplary doll's mouth as well as its cheeks and also depict aportion of the side of the baby doll's face with the mouth in a neutralposition, the mouth and cheeks moved upward to create a smile, and themouth and cheeks moved downward to create a sad face, respectively.

[0014]FIG. 5D schematically depicts the operation of the assembly shownin FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C.

[0015]FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment assembly for moving the ends ofthe mouth and the cheeks of the exemplary baby doll.

[0016]FIGS. 7A and 7B are bottom and side views, respectively of thestructural members used to form the arm and hand of the exemplary babydoll.

[0017]FIG. 7C depicts is a side view of the arm structural members ofthe exemplary baby doll with the arm and hand in a closed position.

[0018]FIG. 7D is a perspective end view of a bracket with the armstructures of the exemplary baby doll connected to it.

[0019]FIG. 8 depicts is a side view of the leg structural members of theexemplary baby doll with the arm and hand in a closed position.

[0020]FIG. 9 is a side view of one embodiment skull structure for theexemplary baby doll.

[0021]FIGS. 10A and 10B are front and side views, respectively of analternate embodiment skull structure of the exemplary baby doll..

[0022]FIG. 11 is a side view of an exemplary compound gear assembly fordriving the eyeballs and eyelids of the exemplary baby doll.

[0023]FIG. 12 depicts a top view of a line guide incorporated in theexemplary baby doll.

[0024]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the line guide shown in FIG.12.

[0025]FIG. 14 is an end view neck joint structure of the exemplary babydoll.

[0026]FIG. 15A. is a side view of an exemplary dragon toy of the presentinvention.

[0027]FIG. 15B. is an exploded view of the gearing and parts making upthe exemplary dragon toy shown in FIG. 15A.

[0028]FIG. 16A is a top view of the structure forming the head and neckof the exemplary dragon toy shown in FIG. 15A.

[0029]FIGS. 16B and 16C are side views of the structure forming the headand neck of the exemplary dragon toy shown in FIG. 15A with the jaw ofthe toy closed and open, respectively.

[0030]FIG. 17 is a side view of the structure forming a wing of theexemplary dragon toy shown in FIG. 15A.

[0031]FIGS. 18A and 18B are front and rear perspective views,respectively of one of the geneva gear assemblies incorporated in theexemplary dragon toy shown in FIG. 15A.

[0032]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another of the geneva gearassemblies incorporated in the exemplary dragon toy shown in FIG. 15A.

[0033]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another geneva gear assembly formoving the head features of an exemplary toy of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 21 is an end view another embodiment geneva gear assemblythat may be incorporated in a toy of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Toys comprising inventive geneva gear assemblies for drivingmultiple moving parts are provided. The geneva gear assemblies allow forthe movement of multiple parts, appendages and/or skin (collectivelyreferred to herein as “parts”) individually or simultaneously using asingle motor. In this regard, the number of motors that need to beincorporated in the toys is minimized thereby minimizing the weight andcost of the toys. Consequently, toys can be made using the inventivegeneva gear assemblies that have multiple moving parts, each part havingmultiple movements. Thus, these toys appear to be more realistic in thatthey can more realistically simulate the movements of the real people ordevices that these toys represent.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, aninventive geneva gear assembly comprises a drive gear 10, a first outputgear 12 and a second output gear 14. The drive gear is driven to rotateby a motor (not shown). The drive gear 10 comprises a plurality of teethor pins 16 which are arcuately spaced apart and extend perpendicularlyfrom a surface of the drive gear proximate the periphery of the drivegear. The teeth 16 only extend around a portion of the drive gear whichis typically less than half of the gear circumference and typically mayspan an area of about 160°.

[0037] A stop arcuate member 18 arcuately spans the remaining portion ofthe drive gear not occupied by the teeth. The first output gear 12 hastwo stop teeth or stop portions or stop members, referred tocollectively referred to herein for convenience as “stop teeth” 20A and20B located opposite each other. Similarly the second output gear 14 hastwo stop teeth 22A and 22B located opposite each other. The stop teethhave an arcuate surface complementary to the outer surface of the stopmember 18 of the drive gear 10. A stop tooth may occupy a major portionof half a gear circumference. When a stop tooth of an output gear ispositioned adjacent the stop member, it prevents the output gear fromturning, thus, locking it in position. Because the outer surfaces of thestop teeth are complementary to the outer surface of the stop member,they allow the stop member to rotate relative to and past the stopteeth. The length of the arcuate stop member may be long enough suchthat it can engage a stop tooth of each output gear simultaneously.

[0038] As the drive gear rotates in a direction, its teeth 16 engage theteeth of an output gear and rotate the output gear. For example, as thedrive gear 10 shown in FIG. 1 rotates 180° clockwise, its teeth 16 meshwith the teeth 15 of the second output gear 14 causing the second outputgear to rotate 180° in a counterclockwise direction. At the same time,the stop member 18 of the drive gear 16 prevents the first output gear12 from rotating by being positioned adjacent to the stop tooth 20A ofthe first output gear 12 throughout the 180° travel of the drive gear.If the drive gear continues to rotate another 180° clockwise its teethwill then mesh with the teeth of the first output gear and rotate it180° counterclockwise. When that occurs, the stop member 18 of the drivegear is positioned adjacent to a stop tooth 22B of the second outputgear thereby preventing the rotation of the second output gear. Thereverse occurs as the drive gear is rotated in a counterclockwisedirection. An advantage of the inventive geneva gear assembly is that itallows rotation of one of its output gears while locking its otheroutput gear.

[0039] In an alternate embodiment, instead of incorporating a drive gearhaving teeth which protrude perpendicularly from the surface of thedrive gear, the drive gear 10A of the geneva gear assembly is formedwith gear teeth 26 for interfacing with the teeth 13, 15 of the firstand second gears, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Moreover,instead of using a stop member, the diameter of the drive gear is suchthat the perimeter 28 of the drive gear serves as a stop as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B. Furthermore, each drive gear and output gear can havemultiple sets of gear teeth separated by multiple sets of stop surfacesor stop members as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A. Alternatively a drive gearor output gear may have a single set of gear teeth 13, 15, or 26.Furthermore, the output gear stop surface may be in the form of afollower 17, 19 having at least a curved edge 17A, 19A that iscomplementary to the stop surface 28 of the drive gear. In the exemplaryembodiments shown in FIG. 2B, the output gear followers 17, 19 each haveopposing curved edges 17A, 17B, and 19A, 19B that are complementary tothe stop surface of the drive gear.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the gear teeth of each output gear12, 14 are formed coaxially with pulleys 30, and 32, respectively asshown in FIGS. 1B, 2A and 2B. Specifically a pulley is coupled to eachgear. The pulleys are preferably spring coupled to the gears. In thisregard, the pulley may be made to turn relative to the gear byovercoming the force of the spring coupling the pulley to the gear.

[0041] Two flexible lines, wires or cables (either of which is referredto herein as “lines” for convenience), are fixed to each pulley. In thisregard, as the gear and pulley rotate in a first direction, they windthe first line and unwind the second line. Similarly, as the gear andpulley rotate in the opposite direction they unwind the first line andwind the second line. Instead of using two lines, a single line may bewrapped around the pulley and fixed at a single location or may just betightly wound around the pulley.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment toy shown in FIG. 3A, geneva gearassemblies are incorporated in a baby doll 39 to provide the doll withrealistic movements and behaviors such as the movements and behaviorstypically exhibited by a human baby. In the exemplary embodiment shownin FIG. 3A, four geneva gear assemblies are incorporated which aredisposed within the doll's torso. Each geneva gear assembly comprises adrive gear driven by a motor and two output gears and operates asdescribed above in relation to the geneva gear assemblies shown in FIGS.1A, 1B, 2A and 2B.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the first gearassembly 40 is driven by a first motor (not shown) and is used toretract the left arm, to move the cheeks up or down, and to turn theneck to the right. The second geneva gear assembly 42 is identical tothe first geneva gear assembly and is driven by a second motor (notshown) and is used to retract the right arm, i.e., bend the right arm,move the brows up or down, or move the neck to the left. The thirdgeneva gear assembly 44 is driven by a third motor (not shown) and isused to bend the left leg, cause the eyes to blink or to open wide andthe neck to move forward. The fourth geneva gear assembly 46 is drivenby a fourth motor (not shown) and is used to cause the right leg tobend, the mouth to open, the lower lip to move out (by closing themouth) and the neck to move backwards.

[0044] The neck right and neck left movements are controlled bygear/pulley combination 48 (i.e., a gear 47 coaxially coupled to apulley 49 as for example shown in FIG. 3B) coupled to the first andsecond geneva gear assemblies. A locking member 52 a slidably engages aslot 54 a formed on the gear of the gear/pulley 48 for locking thegear/pulley 48 and preventing its rotation. The locking member 52 a ispreferably spring loaded in a position locking the gear/pulley 48.

[0045] In the exemplary embodiment doll shown in FIGS. 3A, when thedrive gear 56 of the first geneva gear assembly 40 is turned 360°counterclockwise it causes output gear 58 with corresponding pulley 59to turn clockwise (see also FIG. 3B). A cam member 60 a extends from thepulley 59. As the output gear 58 rotates clockwise, a cam member 60 aextending from the output gear 58 engages the lock member 52 a causingit to disengage from the slot 54 a, thus allowing the gear 48 to rotate.Similarly, the output gear 62 with corresponding pulley of the secondgeneva assembly 42 is also fitted with a cam member 64 a for urging thelock member 52 a away from the slot 54 a formed on the gear of thegear/pulley 48.

[0046] Because the output gears 58 and 62 interface with theircorresponding drive gears 56 and 57, respectively and because they alsointerface with the gear/pulley 48, each of the output gears 58, 62comprises a two sections. The first section 65 comprises gear teeth 65A(as for example shown in FIG. 3B) or pins and stop teeth 65B forinterfacing with a corresponding drive gear. The second section 67extends coaxially from the first section and comprises pins 67A (as forexample shown in FIG. 3B) or teeth for interfacing with the gear 47 ofthe gear/pulley combination 48.

[0047] The third and fourth geneva assemblies 44, 46 are also similarlycoupled to a gear/pulley 66 for moving the neck forward and backward.However, intermediate gears 68 and 70 may be used as shown in theexemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A to further space apart thethird and fourth geneva gear assemblies. Further spacing of the genevagear assemblies may be required for providing enough space toaccommodate a battery box which will house the batteries that will drivethe four geneva gear assembly motors. If intermediate gears are used,then cam members 60 b and 64 b may be coupled to the intermediate gears68 and 70, respectively, for urging lock member 52 b away from slot 54 bformed on gear/pulley 66.

[0048] Because the output gears 71 and 73 interface with theircorresponding drive gear 75 and 77, respectively as well as with theircorresponding intermediate gear 68 and 70, respectively, both outputgears 71 and 73 comprise two coaxial output gear sections. A firstcoaxial section 71 a (or 73 a) for interfaces with the correspondingdrive gear 75, as for example shown in FIG. 3C. The second coaxialsection 71 b (or 73 b) interfaces with its corresponding intermediategear 68 as for example shown in FIG. 3C (or 70). Similarly, eachintermediate gear 68 comprises two coaxial gear sections 68a(or 70 a)for interfacing with its corresponding output gear second coaxialsection 71 b (of 73 b), and a coaxial section for interfacing withgear/pulley 66.

[0049]FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary mapping of the movements provided tothe doll by the four geneva gear assemblies 40, 42, 44 and 46. Eachmovement caused by each geneva gear assembly is depicted in quadrants200, 202, 204, and 206. Each quadrant denotes an 180° rotation of thegeneva gear assembly drive gear. For example, 180° counterclockwiserotation of the drive gear of the first geneva gear assembly 40 willcause the cheek of the baby to move up. Each drive gear is allowed torotate a maximum of 360° in either direction. Each motor and thereby,each gear may be rotated in increments so as to achieve a movementscheme mimicking the movements of a real baby. In the preferredembodiment, each motor and its corresponding drive gear can rotate to 16different positions from their origin, eight when rotating 360° in aclockwise direction form their origin and eight when rotating 360° in acounterclockwise direction from their origin as shown in FIG. 4. Theclockwise positions are designated by numerals 1 to 8, while thecounterclockwise positions are designated by numerals −1 to −8 in FIG.4.

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment, if the drive gear of the firstgeneva gear assembly rotates 360° in a counterclockwise direction itwill cause the cheek of the baby to move up and the neck to move to theright. In order to move the left arm or to move the cheek down, thedrive gear must rotate 360° in a clockwise direction to its originalposition and then another 360° clockwise. During the first 180°clockwise rotation of the drive after it returns to its originalposition, the left arm bends and retracts. During the second 180°clockwise rotation the cheeks of the baby will be moved downwardcreating a sad face. It should be noted that in the preferred mapping ofthe movement of the four geneva gear assemblies, each geneva gearcontrols one of either the left arm, right arm, left leg, or right leg.In this regard, each of these appendages can be moved independent of theother. Moreover, the movements most often used are mapped on the top twoquadrants of each map for each of the geneva gear assemblies. In otherwords, the most often used movements occur during the first 180° ofclockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the drive gear of each genevagear assembly.

[0051] It should be noted that in order to get a movement mapped on abottom quadrant of a geneva gear assembly, the movement mapped on thequadrant directly above the bottom quadrant must occur first. Forexample, in order to get a sad look on the baby using four geneva gearassemblies mapped as shown in FIG. 4, the motor of the second genevaassembly 42 moves the drive gear 360° counterclockwise causing the browsof the baby to move downward. In order to move the brows downward, thebaby's right arm must first be bent and retracted. Moreover, the drivegear of the fourth geneva assembly 46 is also rotated 360°counterclockwise causing the jaw to move closing the baby's mouth whichcauses the baby's soft lower lip to move outward as though it ispouting. In order to cause the lower lip to move outward, the fourthgeneva assembly must first cause the right leg to bend.

[0052] The baby doll body is covered by a soft flexible skin, resemblingthe skin of a real human baby. In a preferred embodiment, the skin ismade from urethane material or foam rubber. Urethane and foam rubberallows the skin to flex and stretch and to contract to its originalposition after it has been stretched.

[0053] To cause the baby doll to smile, the cheeks of the baby need tomove upward. Similarly, to cause the baby to have a sad face, the cheeksof the baby need to move downward. In a first exemplary embodiment, thisis accomplished by incorporating a rotatable disc member 77 a at eitherend of the mouth as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C. The disc members arerotatably coupled to the skull or structure forming the baby's head. Thebaby doll's skin at each end of its mouth is attached to two points 77 band 77 c at the periphery of a corresponding disc. In the exemplaryembodiment, the discs on both sides of the mouth are coupled to thepulley of first output gear 72 of the first geneva assembly 40 via lines79, one of which is shown in FIG. 5D. As the first geneva assembly 40output gear 72 is rotated clockwise by the counterclockwise rotation ofthe drive gear 56, it causes the disc members 77 a (one of which) isshown in FIG. 5B to rotate causing the skin at the ends of the mouthwhich is attached to the discs 77 a to rotate to an up position,providing the appearance of the smile. Similarly, a 360°counterclockwise rotation of the drive gear 56 of the first gearassembly will cause the ends of the mouth attached to the discs 77 a torotate to a downward position as shown in FIG. SC giving the appearanceof a sad face.

[0054] In an alternate embodiment, instead of using discs a slot 71 maybe formed at each end of the mouth as shown in FIG. 6. A pin 91 isslidably fitted within each slot such that it can slide along the lengthof the slot. The skin at each end of the mouth is attached to the eachmoveable pin. Each slot 72 is generally “L”shaped having a first leg 89extending at an angle relative to a second leg 79. Movement of the pinsin a first direction 74 along the first leg 89 will cause a smilewhereas movement in a second direction 76 along the second leg 79 willcause a sad face. Attachment of the skin to the discs 70 a or the pins91 may be by means of a button or by use of an adhesive. Once the drivegear of the first geneva gear assembly returns to its original position,the flexibility of the skin causes the mouth to return to its originalposition.

[0055] In yet a further alternate embodiment, slots 111 may be formed inthe cheek area 113 of the skull as shown in FIG. 9. A pad 115 is fittedand guided a the slot 111. The pad is spring loaded in first position(as for example shown in FIG. 9) and may be pulled by a line 117 to asecond position. The skin is attached to each pad 115. As such as thepads move upward and downward within the slots so does the skin and thusthe baby cheeks causing the baby to smile or have a sad face,respectively. With this embodiment, the geneva output gear 72 of thefirst geneva assembly 40(shown in FIG. 3A) drives the line 117 movingthe pads 115 and thus, the cheeks of the baby doll.

[0056] To move an arm 93 of the baby doll, a line 80 is used to bend andretract the arm as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The baby's arm is composedof two members 82 and 84 pivotally coupled to each other by a couplingjoint 86. The baby's hand is coupled to member 84 and consists ofmembers 86, 88 and 90 which are sequentially and pivotally coupled toeach other. An end of the line 80 is connected to the distal tip of handmember 90 and is guided by pulleys 98, 96, 94 and 92 as shown in FIG.7A. As such, as the line is pulled it causes the members forming thehand to close forming a fist while also causing the arm to bend aboutpivot joint 86 as for example shown in FIG. 7C.

[0057] Arm member 82 is pivotally coupled via a pivot 101 to a balljoint 99. In this regard, member 82 can rotate about its longitudinalaxis as well as pivot. The ball joint is fitted to the upper torso 95 ofthe baby's body. To allow for the line 80, an opening 102 is formed inthe ball joint 99. The ball joint of each arm is coupled to a bracket104 as shown in FIG. 7D. It should be noted that the arm and hand pivotjoints, (e.g., pivot joints 101 and 86) decrease in size (i.e., the sizeof the portion of the members forming the joint decrease in size) whenprogressing from the torso to the hand tips as shown in FIG. 7A. Thisdecrease in the size of the pivots allows for a bending motion of thearm that simulates the bending motion of a human baby's arm. The baby'slegs have similarly coupled members 82 a, 84 a, and 87 a and operate ina similar fashion as the arms as shown in FIG. 8.

[0058] Use of the line instead of gears to drive the various structuralmembers for moving the appendages such as the arms or the legs providean advantage in that the legs and arms require fewer gears. By reducingthe number of gears the opportunity for failure is reduced. Moreover,the lines allow a child playing with the baby doll to move the doll'sarms and legs as for example by moving them in a direction compressingthe lines or in a direction causing the lines to cause the pulleys torotate relative to their corresponding output gear by overcoming thespring force by which the output gears are coupled to their pulleys.

[0059] To move the brows of the exemplary baby doll up or down, slots110 are formed on the forehead of the baby's skull 109 at the locationof the brows (FIG. 9). Cam members 112 having cam surfaces 114 arepivotally coupled within the skull of the baby and are able to rotateabout a pivot 116 such that the cam surfaces 114 can move upward ordownward within the slots formed on the baby's skull. The baby's skin isattached to the cam surfaces 114 such that as the cam surface movesupward or downward within the slots the skin and thereby the brows ofthe baby are moved upward or downward relative to the skull.

[0060] In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a rackand pinion assembly 118 mounted within the skull is used to move a pin120 fitted in each of the slots 110. The skin is attached to the pins120. As such as the pins move upward and downward within the slots sodoes the skin and eyebrows. With this embodiment, a geneva output gear63 of the second geneva assembly(shown in FIG. 3A) drives a pinion 122which drives a forked shaped rack 124 via a line 61. A pin 120 isconnected to each of the two forked ends of the rack.

[0061] The eyelids 127 and eyeballs 129 are preferably rotated togetherat different rotational speeds. A compound gear 130 is used to rotatethe eyelids and eyeballs at relative speeds as shown in FIG. 11. Thecompound gear is driven by the output gear 97 coupled driven by thethird geneva assembly shown in FIG. 3A. Gear 131 of the compound gear iscoupled to the eyeballs 129 while gear 133 of the compound gear iscoupled to the eyelids 127. Preferably, a 2 to 1 ratio of rotation isused such that the eyelids rotate twice as much as the eyeballs for agiven rotation of the compound gear. As such, the eyelids open twice asfast as the eyeballs rotate upward and similarly the eyelids close twiceas fast as the eyeballs rotate downward. Because the eyelids move fasterthan the eyeballs and because they are made from a soft material, theeyelids tend to create folds as the eyes are opened much like the eyesof a real human baby. In an alternate embodiment, the eyelids are thinmembranes which are at least partially adhered to the eyeballs. In thisregard, as the eyeball with attached eyelids rotate to open the eyes,the eyelid skin gets tucked creating folds in the eyelid skin.

[0062] Alternatively, the eyeballs 129 may be pivotally coupled to theskull 109 and spring loaded in a closed position as for example shown inFIG. 9.

[0063] The jaw 137 is rotatably coupled to the skull and is rotatedtowards an open position or a closed position relative to the skullusing a pulley system. In the exemplary embodiment, the jaw is driven byoutput gear 107 of the fourth geneva gear assembly 46 (shown in FIG.3A).

[0064] All the lines going to the baby's head are routed through thebaby's neck. A line guide 132 (FIGS. 12 and 13) comprising a pluralityof openings 134 is fitted within the neck 135 (FIG. 14) of the baby dollfor preventing the lines from getting tangles as the baby neck movesand/or rotates. Each line portion routed through the neck is fittedthrough an opening 134. Each opening 134 accommodates a single lineportion. A typical neck joint is shown in FIG. 14. This neck jointallows the neck to rotate as well as tilt forward and backward.Preferably the neck is allowed to rotate up to ±45° from center, and totilt up to ±35°.

[0065] In the exemplary baby doll, with the exception of the neck, asingle line is used to move a part in one direction, while movement inthe opposite direction is caused by the flexibility of the skin.

[0066] With the appropriate mapping of movements, the four geneva gearassemblies may be used cause the baby doll to have movements thatsimulate the movements and behavior of a human baby. For example, thebaby may be made to act surprised, to act drowsy or to stretch as it iswaking up.

[0067] The movements of the baby doll may be mapped differently thandescribed above using the four geneva gear assemblies. Alternatively 5or 6 geneva gear assembly may be incorporated for providing the babydoll with more individual movements.

[0068] It should be noted that the movements of the doll may be limitedmechanically or through software. Programmable processor hardware suchas chips are used to control the movement of the dolls by controllingthe operation of the motors.

[0069] Another exemplary embodiment toy of the present invention is adragon incorporating to geneva gear assemblies each driven by a separatemotor to drive the neck, head, eyes, mouth, tail and wings of the dragon200 (FIGS. 15A and 15B). The geneva assemblies provide for a fluidmotion to these parts providing the dragon with realistic movement. Inthe exemplary dragon shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the dragon 200comprises a body 202 from which extend four legs 204, two wings 206, aneck 208 and a tail 210. A head is attached to the neck. The body housestwo geneva gear assemblies 212, 214 as well as two motors 216, 218 andbatteries 220 for driving the geneva gear assemblies, respectively.

[0070] The neck 208 and tail 210 is formed by a plurality ofinterlocking bell-shaped members 222 (referred to herein as “bells” forconvenience) having a cup portion 224 from which extends a flangeportion 226, as for example shown in relation to the neck on FIGS. 16A,16B and 16C. These bells are designed such that they can interlock witheach other allowing each other to rotate and swivel relative to eachother. Each of the bells has four openings 228, 230, 232, 234 formedthrough their flange portion, preferably equidistantly spaced apart.Furthermore, an opening 236 is formed through the apex of each bell.

[0071] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 15B, the body comprisestwo halve sections 238, 240 which mate together. A bell 242complementary to the bells 222 for interlocking with the bells 222extends from the forward end of the body. The bell 242 extending fromthe body also has four openings 228, 230, 232, and 234 formed throughits flange portion and an opening 236 formed through its apex. Theseopenings provide access from the interior of the body to the exterior ofthe body.

[0072] A bell 222 interlockingly “snaps” onto the bell 242 of the body.Another bell “snaps” onto the bell 222 interlocked with the body bell242. By “snapping” a plurality of bells the neck of the dragon isformed. The four openings formed on the flange of each bell arepreferably aligned with the four openings formed on subsequent bells.

[0073] The dragon has a head having a socket 246 complementary to thecup portion 226 of the bells 222. In this regard, the cup portions ofthe end most bell forming the neck can “snap” into the socket such thatthe head can move and swivel relative to the end most bell. An opening248 is formed through the apex of the socket 246.

[0074] The head comprises a jaw 250 that is preferably spring loaded inthe open position about a rotating axis 252. A first head pulley 254 isrotatably mounted within the head. A second head pulley 256 space apartfrom the first head pulley 254 is rotatably coupled to the jaw 252 forrotating about an axis 258 offset from the rotating axis 252 of the jaw.

[0075] A jaw control line 260 is fixed to the first head pulley 254,wound around the second head pulley 256 and wound around the first headpulley 254 and extends through the openings 248 and 236 formed throughthe socket 246 and bells 222 and 242 respectively. A neck up line 262 isfitted through each upper opening 228 formed on the flange portions ofthe bells 222 and 242. The neck up line is fitted first through theflange portion of the end most bell interfacing with the head socket andthen through the corresponding openings in each consecutive bell formingthe neck and into the body. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS.16B and 16C, the end of the neck up line protruding through the end mostbell interfacing with the socket is fixed to the head at a location 264below the end most bell. In this regard, pulling of the neck up end linewill cause the neck to curve upwards and the head to rotate downward.

[0076] Similarly, a neck down line 266 is threaded through the bottomopenings 230 of the flange portions of the bells and into the body. Theneck down line is fixed to the head at a location 268 above the end mostbell interfacing with the socket. In this regard, pulling of the neckdown line will cause the neck to bend downward and the head to rotateupward. Furthermore, a neck right line 270 and a neck left line 272 areformed through the left openings 232 and through the right openings 234,respectively and into the body of the dragon.

[0077] In the exemplary embodiment toy shown in FIGS. 15B and 16A, theends of the first head pulley are fitted with rubber O-rings 255. Twoeye-ball 257 are each pivotally mounted on the head and are each infrictional contact with a rubber O-ring 255 such that rotation of thefirst head pulley causes rotation of the eye balls. In this regards, theeyes appear open when the first head pulley rotates in a first directionand appear closed when the first head pulley rotates is a secondopposite direction.

[0078] The terms “up”, “down”, “left”, and “right” are used fordescriptive purposes only for describing the dragon movements as viewedfrom a location at the rear of the dragon.

[0079] The tail of the dragon is also formed by bells 222 that aremounted to a rear bell 276 extending from the rear-end of the dragonbody. The bells 222, 276 used in the exemplary dragon shown in FIG. 15Bhave two openings equidistantly spaced apart formed on each of theirflange portions. On the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 15B, whenviewed from the rear, there is an opening 278 formed on the left and anopening 280 formed on the right of each flange portion of each of thetail bells and the bell extending from the body. A tail left line 282and a tail right line 284 are fitted through the corresponding left andright openings 278, 280 formed on the flange portions of the bells. Aknot or a ball may be attached to the end of the lines penetrating theend most tail bell 288 for retaining an end of each line at the end mostbell.

[0080] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, four legs204 (only two of which are shown in FIG. 15B) each comprising threemembers 290, 292 and 294 are pivotally coupled to the body via a pin296. More specifically member 290 is pivotally coupled to the body.Member 292 is pivotally coupled to member 290. Member 294 is pivotallycoupled to member 292.

[0081] A pair of wings 206 are each rotatably coupled to the body upperportion 299 about a pivot axis 300 (FIG. 15B and 17). Because both wingsare identical, only one is described herein. Each wing comprises a bodyportion 302 which is pivotally spring coupled to the body about thepivot axis 300 via a pulley 301 and a spring 303 which has an end 311fixed to the dragon body 202 and an end fixed to the pulley 301. Threearm portions 304 are pivotally coupled to the body portion about thesame axis 306 via a pulley 307. The arms are spring coupled by a coilspring 309 wound around the pulley 307 such that they are spring loadedin a spaced apart position relative to each other and relative to thebody. One end of the spring 309 extends into an arm while the other endof the spring extends into the body portion of the wing. The ends of thearms distally away from the body portion are interconnected with a line308. A line 310 is used to connect one arm to the body portion. Insteadof lines a webbing may be formed between consecutive arms and between anarm and the body portion. A pulley 312 is formed in the base of the bodyportion whose axis is coaxial with the pivot axis 300.

[0082] A wing line 314 is fixed to the arm pulley 307 and extends withinthe body portion of the arm and is wound on the pulley 301 and extendsinto the body of the dragon. By pulling on the wind line 314 from alocation within the dragon body, the arm pulley 307 is caused to rotateagainst the spring force generated by the spring 309 and cause the armsto rotate toward each other while at the same time causing the bodyportion of the wing to rotate about the rotation axis 300 against thespring force generated by spring 303.

[0083] In the exemplary embodiment toy shown in FIG. 15B, a first genevaassembly 212 is mounted in the dragon body 202 and comprises first,second, and third drive gears 320, 322, 324, respectively, driven by amotor 216 via a drive shaft 326 and a first, second and third outputgears 328, 330, 332, respectively, that are free to rotate about and notwith an output shaft 334 (FIGS. 15A, 18A and 18B). First, second andthird pulleys 336, 338, 340 are coaxially coupled to respective first,second and third output gears 328, 330, 332. Preferably, the pulleys arespring coupled to each of the output gears.

[0084] In the shown exemplary embodiment, the drive gears are fixedlycoupled to the drive shaft 326. In this regard, as the drive shaftrotates so do the drive shaft gears. The drive gears each have only gearteeth 342 formed on a portion of the gear circumference. An arcuate stopmember 344 is defined on the remaining circumference. The arcuate stopmember may be a circumferential member extending from the gear as forexample shown in FIG. 18A or may be the outer surface of the drive gearperiphery which does not comprise any teeth.

[0085] The first output gear 328 comprises a geneva gear followerportion 346 which in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 18A and18B, is a plate-type member having two arcuate edges 348 opposite eachother. Each of the arcuate edges has a curvature complementary to thecurvature of the stop member 344 formed on the first drive gear. A gearportion 350 coaxially extends from the follower portion. As the firstdrive gear is rotated by the drive shaft, its stop member 344 rotates bythe arcuate edge of the follower portion of the first output gear. Whenthat occurs, the stop member of the first drive gear prevents the firstoutput gear from rotating. As the drive gear continues to rotate, thegear teeth of the first drive gear which extend further radially thanthe stop member move past the follower portion and mesh with the outputgear teeth. Simultaneous, the stop member moves past the arcuate edge ofthe follower of plate allowing the drive gear to rotate the output gearand thus the follower plate and pulley.

[0086] The length of the drive gear and output gear peripheries occupiedby gear teeth is such that as the stop member is rotated to mate withthe arcuate edge of the follower portion, the output gear is rotated bythe appropriate distance to allow for such mating.

[0087] The third output gear 332 is the same as the first output gearand is in its position to be driven by the third drive gear 324.However, the location of the gear teeth of the third gear maybe offsetfrom the location of the gear teeth of the first gears so to stagger therotation of the first and third output gears as the gear shaft rotates.

[0088] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 15B and 18, the secondoutput gear 330 is mounted on the output shaft between the first andthird output gears. A first intermediate output gear 350 similar to thefirst and third output gears is mounted on the body 202 of the dragonand is positioned to be driven by the second drive gear 322. A cammember 352 is pivotally mounted on the intermediate output gear about anaxis 354 offset from the axis of rotation 355 of the first intermediateoutput gear. The cam pivot axis 354 is offset from the cam central axis356.

[0089] A second intermediate gear 358 is pivotally mounted on the body202 of the dragon about a rotation axis 360 offset and parallel from theaxis of rotation 355 the first intermediate output gear and the secondoutput gear. The second intermediate gear comprises a semicircular gearportion 362 having gear teeth 363 meshed with the gear teeth 365 of thesecond output gear 330.. The rotation axis 360 of the secondintermediate output gear is also the rotation axis of the semicirculargear portion 362.

[0090] An arm portion 364 extends from the semicircular gear portion ofthe second intermediate output gear. A slot 366 is formed within the armportion. The cam 352 is confined within the slot. In this regard, as thefirst intermediate gear is driven to rotate by the second drive gear, itcauses the cam move along generally circular path pivoting the armportion 364 of the second intermediate gear back and forth about therotation axis 360. Consequently, the semicircular gear portion rotatesback and forth rotating the second output gear 330 and its correspondingpulley 338 back and forth. During one full rotation, i.e., 360° rotationof the first intermediate output gear 350, the second output gear 330rotates in a first direction and then in an opposite direction.

[0091] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A and 18, the lines314 from the left and right wings are fixed to the first pulley 336which coupled to the first output gear. In this regard, as the pulleyrotates it pulls on the lines for closing and folding the wings. Theneck up line 262 and the neck down line 266 are fixed in oppositerelation to each other to the third pulley 340 which is coupled to thethird output gear. In this regard, as the third output gear and thus thethird pulley rotate in a first direction the neck up line winds aroundthe third pulley while the neck up line and unwinds from the thirdpulley causing the neck to bend upward. As the third output gear andthus the third pulley rotate in a second direction opposite the firstdirection the neck down line winds around the third pulley while theneck down line and unwinds from the third pulley causing the neck tobend downward.

[0092] The jaw control line 260 is fixed to the second pulley 338 whichis coupled to the second output gear 330. In this regard, with theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 18, during a full revolution of thedrive shaft 326, the wings can be retracted and folded, the neck maymove upward (with the head rotating downward)and the jaw may close andopen and the eyes may also close and open. When the motor turns thedrive shaft in a reverse direction, the wings may be allowed to springback to the original position of the mouth, the neck may move downward(with the head rotating upward)and the jaw may open and close and theeyes may also open and close. By offsetting the geared portions of eachof the drive gears, the movement of the wings, jaw, eyes and neck may bestaggered. Moreover, by moving the shaft only a portion of a turn suchthat only the geared portion of one of the drive gear meshes with itscorresponding output gear, the member coupled to that output gear isonly moved.

[0093] The second geneva gear assembly 214 comprises of first and seconddrive gears 400 and 402, driving by a drive gear shaft 404 and drivingfirst and second corresponding output gears 406 and 408. In theexemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 15B and 19, the drive and outputgears are similar to the first and second drive and output gears of thegeneva gear assembly 212. A gear 410 is attached to the drive shaft 404and is meshed with a worm gear 412 driven by the motor 218 such thatrotation of the worm gear by the motor causes rotation of the driveshaft and thus rotation of the drive gears.

[0094] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 15B and 19, a gearplate 414 is positioned between the two drive gears and has an opening416 which is penetrated by the drive shaft 404. A first pulley 418 isrotatably coupled to one end of the drive shaft. A second pulley 420 isrotatably coupled to the other end of the drive shaft. In other words,the pulleys can rotate relative to the drive shaft. Stated differently,as the drive shaft rotates the pulleys do not have to rotate. A gear 422and 424 extends coaxially from each pulley 418, 420.

[0095] Two stub axles 426, 428 extend from opposite sides of the gearplate. In the exemplary embodiment, each output gear 406, 408 has afollower plates 430. Each out gear is rotatably coupled to a stub axle.When mounted on the stub axles, the output gears are in position to bedriven, i.e., rotated by a corresponding drive gear. The follower platesof the exemplary embodiment geneva gear assemblies have two opposingcurved edges 440 complementary to the curvature of the stop surfaces 442of the drive gears. In this regard, while the stop surface of a drivegear moves past the curved edge of the follower plate, the output geardoes not rotate. When the drive gear piece teeth mesh with the gearteeth of the output gear, the stop surface 442 moves past the curvededge 440 of the follower allowing the output gear to rotate.

[0096] A cam 444 extends from each of the output gears and are offsetfrom the stub axles 426, 428. A first frame gear 448 having gear teeth450 formed on an inner edge defining a rack type gear is fitted betweenthe first pulley 418 and the first drive gear 400 such that the gearteeth 450 of the frame gear are meshed with the gear 422 extending fromthe first pulley. A slot 454 is formed through the frame gear end and ispenetrated by the cam extend 444 extending from the first output gear430 coupled to the first drive gear 400. The first frame gear is guidedwithin the body of the dragon it can translate in the first direction asshown by arrow 456 and a second opposite direction as shown by arrow 458in FIG. 19. In this regard as the first drive gear meshes and rotatesthe first output gear, the output gear rotates the cam about an arcwhich causes the frame to translate in a direction and then in anopposite direction. When this occurs, the gear teeth 450 of the framegear which are meshed with the gear 422 extending from the first pulleycause the first pulley to rotate in a first direction and then in anopposite direction. A second frame gear 460 is similarly coupled to thegear 424 extending from the second pulley 420 and is driven by the cam44 extending from the second output gear 408.

[0097] In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 15B and 19, the neckleft line 270 and the neck right line 272 are fixed to the first pulleyin opposing relationship. The tail left line 282 and the tail right line284 are fixed to the second pulley in opposing relationship. Instead oftwo separate lines, the neck left and right lines may be one continuousline that may be fixed at a point on the first pulley while the tailright and left lines may be a single line that is also fixed at onepoint on the second pulley. By rotating the drive shaft and thus, thefirst drive gear, one of the neck lines is wound while the other isunwound allowing the neck to bend in one direction, while rotation ofthe first drive gear in an opposite direction will cause the neck tobend in the opposite direction. Similarly, by rotating the drive shaftand thus, the second drive gear, one of the tail lines is wound whilethe other is unwound allowing the tail to bend in one direction, whilerotation of the second drive gear in an opposite direction will causethe tail to bend in the opposite direction. By controlling the locationof the gear portions of the drive gears, the sequencing of the movementbetween the neck and the tail can be controlled.

[0098] As can be seen in the exemplary toy dragon, with two motors, amultitude of movements can be controlled so as to simulate the movementsof a real dragon. Moreover, by providing the dragon with a controller asfor example a computerized controller, the movements can be programmedas for example by controlling the amount and direction of rotationprovided by each of the motors. The entire dragon may be covered by aflexible skin and colored appropriately.

[0099] Another exemplary embodiment toy of the present inventionincorporates an inventive geneva gear assembly as shown in FIG. 20 formoving the head features of the toy. The toy can be any animal-like orhuman-like figure having a face structure having flexible skin. Theexemplary geneva assembly is able to control the movement of the mouth502, the eyes 504 and the brows 506 of the figure using the single motor508. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the mouth 502 of thefigure is formed out of a plastic material as a single unit having anupper portion 510 and a lower portion 512 which are typically alignedwith the upper and lower lips of the figure, respectively. The ends ofthe upper and lower portions curve inward and culminate in commoncylindrical members 514. In other words, the right side of the upper andlower portions end in a common cylindrical member 514 and the left endsof the of the mouth upper and lower portions also end in a cylindricalmember 516. In its free state, the mouth is in an open position, i.e.,the mouth upper portions is angled away from the mouth lower portion.Extensions 518 and 520 may extend from the upper and lower portions,respectively for attaching to the material forming the skin surroundingthe mouth of the figure so as to create movement of such skin when themouth opens and closes.

[0100] The eyeballs 504 are interconnected to each other via an eyeballshaft 522 which is driven by an eyeball gear 524 mounted on the eyeballshaft between the two eyeballs. The eyebrows 506 of the figure are madeto move using a brow moving structure 526. In the exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 20 the brow moving structure is channel shaped structurehaving two legs 530, 532 interconnected by a beam 534 and having a pad528 extending from each leg 530, 532. Each of the pads is attached tothe material forming the skin of the figure behind a corresponding brow506. A drive leg portion 536 extends opposite from one of the legs 532.In the shown exemplary embodiment, the leg portion 536 has an enddefining a generally circular gear section 538. The drive leg portion ispivotally coupled to the figure about a pivot axis 540 coincident withthe rotational axis 542 of the circular gear section 538. In thisregard, as the structure pivots about the pivot axis, it causes movementof the brows in an upward or downward direction. The mouth, eyeballs,and brows, are driven by first, second and third drive gears, 544, 546,548 driven by a drive shaft 550 driven by the motor 508.

[0101] Two cylindrical mouth gear members 552, 554 each having a bevelgear 556, 558 extending from an end surface of the mouth mother memberand each having a cylindrical opening 553, 555 formed near or tangentialto the mouth gear member outer surface are coupled to the cylindricalmembers 516, 518 of the mouth. The cylindrical openings 553, 555 arecomplementary to the cylindrical members 514, 516 formed at the ends ofthe mouth structure. Each cylindrical member 514, 516 is fitted in acorresponding cylindrical opening 553, 555 in a corresponding mouth gearmember.

[0102] A first output gear 560 is fixed on a first output shaft 562. Abevel gear 564, 566 is formed at each end of the first output shaft. Oneshaft bevel gear 564 is meshed with the bevel gear 556 on one mouth gearmember. The other shaft bevel gear 566 is meshed with the bevel gear 558extending from the other mouth gear member. The first output gear ispositioned to and driven by the first drive gear 544. The first outputshaft is also restrained for maintaining engagement of its bevel gearswith their corresponding bevel gears formed on the mouth gear members.When the first drive gear drives the first output gear in a firstdirection it causes the first output shaft to rotate in a directionwhich causes the mouth gear members to rotate in a direction pulling onthe cylindrical end members and curling the curving end portions of themouth further inward causing the upper and lower mouth portions to movetoward each other and the mouth to close. Rotation of the first outputshaft in the reverse direction will cause the release the curling of themouth ends and the mouth will open. Movement of the mouth will alsocause movement of the skin surrounding the mouth which is fixed to theextensions 518, 520 extending from the mouth upper and lower portions,respectively.

[0103] A second output gear 570 is coupled to the second drive gear 546and is pivotally coupled to the figure. A reduction gear 572 iscoaxially coupled to the second output gear 570 and is meshed with theeyeball gear 524. In this regard, as the second drive gear rotates inone direction it causes the eyeballs to rotate in a first direction(e.g., upward or downward) and similarly as the second drive gearrotates in an opposite direction it causes the eyeballs to rotate in anopposite direction.

[0104] The third drive gear 548 is coupled with a third output gear 574which is coupled to an intermediate gear 576 via a second output shaftwhich is coupled to the figure such that rotation of the third outputgear causes rotation on the intermediate gear. The intermediate gear ismeshed with the gear drive gear section 538 formed on the drive legportion of brow moving structure. In this regard, rotation of the thirddrive gear 548 in a first causes the brow moving structure to rotateabout its pivot axis 540 and to move the brow in a first direction(e.g., upward or downward), whereas rotation of the third drive gear inan opposite direction will cause the brows to move in a directionopposite the first brow moving direction.

[0105] Thus, rotation of the drive shaft 550 causes the movement in themouth and surrounding skin as well as movement of the eyeballs andeyebrows. By offsetting the location of the gear portions of the drivegears and by controlling the rotation and direction of rotation of themotors, the movement of the mouth and surrounding skin, eyes, andeyebrow can be controlled.

[0106] The output and drive gears used in the exemplary embodimentgeneva gear assembly shown in FIG. 20 may be the same as the output anddrive gears described in relation to any of the aforementionedembodiment toys.

[0107] The inventive toys may incorporate other geneva assemblies as maybe required for a desired part movement. For example, the geneva gearassembly may include a drive gear 570 which is coupled to an output gear572 which is coupled to a rack gear 574 as shown in FIG. 21. Movingparts may be coupled to the output gear and/or the rack gear.

[0108] Furthermore, the geneva gear assemblies may be coupled to theparts they move with gears and/or pulleys as necessary. For example, thein alternate embodiments, the exemplary geneva gear assemblies describedwhich are coupled to the parts using pulleys and lines may be coupled tothe parts using gears and/or pulleys with lines. Similarly, in furtheralternate embodiments, the embodiments herein having pulleys coupled tothe parts, may be geneva gear assemblies which are coupled to the partsthey drive via gears may be coupled to the parts with pulleys and linesand/or gears.

[0109] The geneva gear assemblies incorporated in the inventive toys mayhave a single drive gear driving multiple output gears or may havemultiple drive gears driven by the same motor driving multiple outputgears. Furthermore each drive gear and output gear may have a single ormultiple gear tooth sections and a single or multiple stop surfaces orstop teeth.

[0110] In alternative embodiment toys a single motor may be used todrive multiple geneva gear assemblies. Furthermore, with each toy acomputer or other type of processor may be used to control the motorsand thus the movement of the toy moving parts. The movement can beprogrammed into the computer or may be responsive to events sensed bysensors located throughout the toy and connected to the computer. Thesensors may be used throughout the toy to allow the toy to interact witha child playing with it as well as with its environment.

[0111] Use of geneva gear assemblies to move the moving parts of toyshave many advantages. For example, the geneva gear assemblies providepush-pull mechanisms. In other words, the geneva assemblies can providepush and pull (i.e., opposite direction) forces to the parts that theydrive, i.e., they provide a positive drive to the parts that they drive.This eliminates the need for springs which provide a countering force inthe toy parts that are driven by mechanisms providing either a push or apull force but not both. By not incorporating springs, the geneva gearsconserve the use of energy that is required to overcome the spring forcefor moving a part, consequently require a smaller force for moving suchpart. Moreover, with geneva gear assemblies, once the activation of apart is completed, the output gear driving such part is locked.Consequently, a minimum or no motor force is spent on the locked gearwhen the motor is driving the other output gears.

1. A toy comprising: a plurality of moving parts; a geneva gear assemblycomprising, a drive gear comprising a plurality of teeth arcuatelyaround a portion of the drive gear, and a stop surface around a portionof the drive gear, a first output gear comprising a first set of teethfor coupling with the teeth of the drive gear and a first stop tooth forcoupling with the stop surface, a first pulley coupled to the firstoutput gear, a second output gear comprising a first set of teeth formeshing with the teeth of the drive gear and a first stop tooth forcoupling with the stop surface, a second pulley coupled to the firstoutput gear; a first line coupled to the first pulley and to a first ofsaid plurality of moving parts; a second line coupled to the secondpulley and to a second of said plurality of moving parts; and a motorfor driving the drive gear.
 2. A toy as recited in claim 1 wherein thestop tooth of the first output gear stop tooth is engaged with the stopsurface when the first set of teeth of the second output gear are meshedwith the teeth of the drive gear.
 3. A toy are recited in claim 1wherein the stop surface can be simultaneously engaged by the stop toothof the first output gear and the stop tooth of the second output gear.4. A toy as recited in claim 1 wherein the first output gear comprises asecond set of teeth spaced apart from the first set of teeth of thefirst output gear.
 5. A toy as recited in claim 4 wherein the firstoutput gear further comprises a second stop tooth between the first andsecond sets of teeth of the first output gear.
 6. A toy as recited inclaim 5 wherein the second output gear comprises a second set of teethspaced apart from the first set of teeth of the second output gear.
 7. Atoy as recited in claim 6 wherein the second output gear furthercomprises a second stop tooth between the first and second sets of teethof the second output gear.
 8. A toy as recited in claim 1 wherein thestop surface is defined by a periphery of the drive gear.
 9. A toy asrecited in claim 1 wherein the stop surface is formed on an arcuatemember extending from the drive gear.
 10. A toy as recited in claim 1wherein the drive gear teeth are formed by a plurality of pins extendingfrom the drive gear.
 11. A toy as recited in claim 1 wherein the drivegear teeth are formed on a periphery of the drive gear.
 12. A toy asrecited in claim 1 further comprising a spring coupling the first pulleyto the first output gear.
 13. A toy as recited in claim 12 furthercomprising a second spring coupling the second pulley to the secondoutput gear.
 14. A toy as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a thirdoutput gear for coupling the with the second output gear, the thirdoutput gear comprising a set of gear teeth and a stop surface; a thirdpulley coupled to the third output gear; and a third line coupled to thethird pulley and to a third of said plurality of moving parts.
 15. A toyas recited in claim 14 wherein the second output gear comprises a secondset of teeth coaxial with the first set of teeth for meshing with theset of teeth of the third output gear and a stop tooth for engaging thestop surface of the third output gear.
 16. A toy as recited in claim 12further comprising: a second geneva gear assembly comprising, a seconddrive gear comprising a plurality of teeth arcuately around a portion ofthe drive gear, and stop surface spaced apart from the teeth, a fourthoutput gear comprising, a first set of teeth for meshing with the teethof the second drive gear, a first stop tooth for engaging the stopsurface of the second drive gear, and a second set of teeth for couplingwith the teeth of the third output gear, a fourth pulley coupled to theforty output gear, a fifth output gear comprising a first set of teethfor meshing with the teeth of the second drive gear and a first stoptooth for engaging the stop surface of the second drive gear, a fifthpulley coupled to the fifth output gear; a fourth line coupled to thefourth pulley and to a fourth of said plurality of moving parts; a fifthline coupled to the fifth pulley and to a fifth of said plurality ofmoving parts; and a second motor for driving the second drive gear. 17.A toy as recited in claim 16 further comprising: a slot formed on thethird output gear; and a cam member for engaging the slot for preventingrotation of the third output gear.
 18. A toy as recited in claim 17wherein the cam is spring loaded in a position for engaging the slotformed on the third output gear, the toy further comprising: a first camportion extending from the second output gear, wherein rotation of thesecond output gear causes the first cam portion to urge the cam memberto disengage from the slot; and a second cam portion extending from thethird output gear, wherein rotation of the third output gear causes thesecond cam portion to urge the cam member to disengage from the slot 19.A toy as recited in claim 16 further comprising a first intermediategear for coupling the second output gear to the third output gear.
 20. Atoy as recited in claim 19 further comprising a second intermediate gearfor coupling the fourth output gear to the third output gear.
 21. A toyas recited in claim 20 wherein each intermediate gear comprises a firstsection and a second section coaxial with the first section, wherein thesecond and fourth output gears each comprise a second set of teethcoaxial with the first set of teeth for meshing with the teeth on one ofsaid intermediate gears.
 22. A toy as recited in claim 20 furthercomprising: a slot formed on the third output gear; a cam member forengaging the slot for preventing rotation of the third output gear; afirst cam portion extending from the first intermediate gear, whereinrotation of the first intermediate gear causes the first cam portion tourge the cam member to disengage from the slot; and a second cam portionextending from the second intermediate gear, wherein rotation of thesecond intermediate gear causes the second cam portion to urge the cammember to disengage from the slot
 23. A toy comprising: a housingcomprising a plurality of moving parts; a motor; and a geneva gearassembly comprising, a first drive gear coupled to the motor andcomprising a first set of teeth arcuately around a portion of the firstdrive gear, and a first stop surface arcuately extending around aportion of the first drive gear, a second drive gear coupled to themotor and comprising a second set of teeth arcuately around a portion ofthe second drive gear, and a second stop surface arcuately extendingaround a portion of the second drive gear, a first output gearcomprising a first set of teeth for coupling with the teeth of the firstdrive gear and a first stop tooth for engaging the first stop surface, afirst pulley coupled to the first output gear, a second output gearcomprising a first set of teeth for coupling with the teeth of thesecond drive gear, a second pulley coupled to the second output gear; afirst line coupled to the first pulley and to a first of said pluralityof moving parts; and a second line coupled to the second pulley and to asecond of said plurality of moving parts.
 24. A toy as recited in claim23 further comprising a drive shaft driven by the motor, wherein thefirst and second drive gears are mounted on the shaft and whereinrotation of the shaft causes the rotation of both drive gears.
 25. A toyas recited in claim 24 further comprising an output gear shaft, whereinthe first and second output gears are mounted on the output gear shaft.26. A toy as recited in claim 25 wherein the first output gear canrotate relative to the output gear shaft and wherein the second outputgear can rotate relative to the output gear shaft.
 27. A toy as recitedin claim 23 further comprising: a first intermediate gear rotatablycoupled to the housing for rotating about an axis of rotation, the firstintermediate gear comprising a set of teeth for coupling with the firstset of teeth of the second drive gear and a stop tooth for engaging thesecond stop surface; a second intermediate gear comprising a firstcircular arc portion and a second portion extending from the firstportion, wherein a plurality of teeth are formed on the arc portion forcoupling with the teeth of the second output gear, wherein a slot isformed on the second portion, and wherein the second intermediate gearis rotatably coupled to the housing about a central axis of the arcportion; and a cam rotatably coupled to the first intermediate gearabout an axis offset from the axis of rotation of the first intermediategear and offset from a central axis of the cam, wherein the cam extendsinto the slot, and wherein the second drive gear drives the firstintermediate gear causing the cam to rotate the second intermediate gearabout the central axis of the arc portion, causing the second outputgear to rotate.
 28. A toy as recited in claim 27 wherein the set ofteeth of the second intermediate gear are meshed with the teeth of thesecond output gear.
 29. A toy as recited in claim 27 wherein the teethof the first intermediate gear can mesh with the teeth of the seconddrive gear.
 30. A toy as recited in claim 23 wherein the second outputgear comprises a periphery and wherein the set of teeth of the secondoutput gear span the entire periphery.
 31. A toy as recited in claim 23wherein the first output gear comprises a second set of teeth spacedapart from the first set of teeth of the first output gear.
 32. A toy asrecited in claim 31 wherein the first output gear further comprises asecond stop tooth between the first and second sets of teeth of thefirst output gear.
 33. A toy as recited in claim 23 wherein the secondoutput gear comprises a stop tooth.
 34. A toy as recited in claim 33wherein the second output gear comprises a second set of teeth spacedapart from the first set of teeth of the second output gear.
 35. A toyas recited in claim 34 wherein the second output gear further comprisesa second stop tooth between the first and second sets of teeth of thesecond output gear.
 36. A toy comprising: a housing comprising aplurality of moving parts; a motor; and a geneva gear assemblycomprising, a first drive gear coupled to the motor and comprising afirst set of teeth arcuately around a portion of the first drive gear,and a first stop surface arcuately extending around a portion of thefirst drive gear, a second drive gear coupled to the motor andcomprising a second set of teeth arcuately around a portion of thesecond drive gear, and a second stop surface arcuately extending arounda portion of the second drive gear, a first output gear comprising afirst set of teeth for coupling with the teeth of the first drive gearand a first stop tooth for engaging the first stop surface, the firstoutput gear having an axis of rotation, a second output gear comprisinga first set of teeth for coupling with the teeth of the second drivegear and a second stop tooth for engaging the second stop surface, thesecond output gear having an axis of rotation, a first rack gear havinggear teeth and comprising a body having a slot, a first cam extendingfrom the first output gear and offset from the axis of rotation of thefirst output gear and extending in the slot of the first rack gear,wherein a full rotation of the first output gear causes the first cam tomove the first rack gear in a first direction and in a second oppositedirection, a second rack gear having gear teeth and comprising a bodyhaving a slot, a second cam extending from the second output gear offsetfrom the axis of rotation of the second output gear and extending in theslot of the second rack gear, wherein a full rotation of the secondoutput gear causes the second cam to move the second rack gear in afirst direction and in a second opposite direction, a first pulleycoupled to the first rack gear, wherein movement of the first rack gearcauses rotation of the first pulley; and a second pulley coupled to thesecond rack gear, wherein movement of the second rack gear causesrotation of the second pulley; a first line coupled to the first pulleyand to a first of said plurality of moving parts; and a second linecoupled to the second pulley and to a second of said plurality of movingparts.
 37. A toy as recited in claim 36 further comprising: a first gearcoupled to the first pulley and meshed with the first rack gear; and asecond gear coupled to the second pulley and meshed with the second rackgear.
 38. A toy as recited in claim 37 wherein the body of each rackgear is a frame and wherein the gear teeth of the each rack gear areformed on an inner surface of the frame.
 39. A toy as recited in claim37 wherein the geneva gear assembly further comprises a drive shaftcoupled to the motor, wherein the first and second drive gears aremounted on the drive shaft and wherein rotation of the drive shaftcauses rotation of said drive gears.
 40. A toy as recited in claim 39wherein the first and second pulleys are rotatably coupled to the driveshaft, wherein the first and second pulleys can rotate relative to thedrive shaft.
 41. A toy as recited in claim 40 further comprising a gearplate comprising, wherein the drive shaft penetrates the gear plate, andwherein the first output gear is rotatably coupled to a first side ofthe gear plate and wherein the second output gear is rotatably coupledto a second side of the gear plate opposite the first side, and whereinthe gear plate is located between the first and second drive gears. 42.A toy as recited in claim 39 further comprising: a third drive gearcoupled to the drive shaft, wherein rotation of the third drive gearcauses rotation of the drive shaft; and a worm gear driven by the motorand meshed with the third gear.
 43. A toy comprising: a housingcomprising a plurality of moving parts; a motor; and a geneva gearassembly comprising, a first drive gear coupled to the motor andcomprising a set of teeth arcuately around a portion of the first drivegear, and a stop surface arcuately extending around a portion of thefirst drive gear, a second drive gear coupled to the motor andcomprising a set of teeth arcuately around a portion of the second drivegear, and a stop surface arcuately extending around a portion of thesecond drive gear, a first output gear comprising a set of teeth forcoupling with the teeth of the first drive gear and a stop tooth forengaging the stop surface of the first drive gear, a second output gearcomprising a set of teeth for coupling with the teeth of the seconddrive gear, a first of said plurality of moving parts coupled to thefirst output gear for being moved as the first output gear rotates; anda second of said plurality of moving parts coupled to the second outputgear for being moved as the second output gear rotates.
 44. A toy asrecited in claim 43 wherein the geneva gear assembly further comprises:a third drive gear coupled to the motor and comprising a set of teetharcuately around a portion of the third drive gear, and a stop surfacearcuately extending around a portion of the third drive gear; and athird output gear comprising a set of teeth for coupling with the teethof the third drive gear; and a third of said plurality of moving partscoupled to the third output gear for being moved as the third outputgear rotates.
 45. A toy as recited in claim 43 further comprising; anoutput shaft coupled to the first output gear for being rotated as thefirst output gear rotates; a first bevel gear formed on end of theshaft; and a fourth output gear comprising a second bevel gear coupledto the first bevel gear, wherein the first of said plurality of movingparts is coupled to the fourth output gear.
 46. A toy as recited inclaim 45 wherein the fourth output gear comprises a body having aperiphery and wherein the second bevel gear extends from the body, thefourth output gear further comprising a cylindrical opening intersectingthe periphery of the body, and wherein the first of said plurality ofmoving parts comprises a cylindrical member fitted in said opening, andwherein rotation the fourth output gear causes movement of said first ofsaid plurality of moving parts.
 47. A toy comprising: a plurality ofmoving parts; and a geneva gear assembly comprising, a drive gearcomprising a plurality of teeth spanning a portion of the drive gear,and a stop surface spanning a portion of the drive gear, and a firstoutput gear comprising a first set of teeth for coupling with the teethof the drive gear and a first stop tooth for coupling with the stopsurface, wherein the first out put gear is coupled to a first of saidplurality of moving parts for moving said first part.
 48. A toy asrecited in claim 47 wherein the geneva gear assembly further comprises asecond output gear comprising a first set of teeth for coupling with theteeth of the drive gear and a first stop tooth for coupling with thestop surface, wherein the second output gear is coupled to a second ofsaid plurality of moving parts for moving said second part.
 49. A toyare recited in claim 48 wherein the stop surface can be simultaneouslycoupled with the stop tooth of the first output gear and the stop toothof the second output gear.
 50. A toy as recited in claim 47 wherein thefirst output gear comprises a second set of teeth spaced apart from thefirst set of teeth of the first output gear.
 51. A toy as recited inclaim 49 wherein the first output gear further comprises a second stoptooth between the first and second sets of teeth of the first outputgear.
 52. A toy as recited in claim 47 further comprising: a secondgeneva gear assembly comprising, a second drive gear and comprising afirst set of teeth spanning a portion of the second drive gear, and astop surface spanning a portion of the second drive gear, and a secondoutput gear comprising a first set of teeth for coupling with the teethof the second drive gear and a stop tooth for coupling with the stopsurface of the second drive gear, wherein the second output gear iscoupled to a second of said plurality of moving parts for moving saidsecond part.
 53. A toy as recited in claim 52 wherein the second outputgear comprises a second set of teeth spaced apart from the first ofteeth of the second output gear.
 54. A toy as recited in claim 53wherein the second output gear further comprises a second stop toothbetween the first and second sets of teeth of the second output gear.55. A toy as recited in claim 52 further comprising a motor for drivingthe first and second drive gears.
 56. A toy as recited in claim 55wherein the motor drives the first and second drive gearssimultaneously.